Those with Med/Heavy Drum/vanner cobs......

I bought my boy only a couple of months ago. He is only 13.2hh, but has loads of feather, and a real chunk of a boy. He is 7 years old.

I've not done much with him yet, as we've had issues getting a saddle fitted - hopefully we'll have one within a couple of weeks.

So far, he's been very calm. He can be a bit bargey on the ground if he thinks you'll let him - if you tell him no, he's pretty good. He takes quite a few repeats to learn tho. In terms of seeing things, spooky things, tieing up, having stuff done, etc - he's been brilliant. He'll stand tied up for hours, as long as he has hay! When I've ridden him, he's pretty good, and hasn't reacted to much, but he is definitely forwards - not a plod at all!
 
I have a 14.2 just turned 7 vanner with moustache and all! She thinks she is a racehorse, anything other than a walk has to result in a race but on the roads she doesn't bother with anything, double deckers, artic
 
Ive just brought a lovely little chap, he'l be 2 in may. He's the softest, cuddly'ist pony ive ever had, and so quiet, i cant see him being any trouble to break in, and im hoping he's ging to be the plod ive been wanting for so long.
Ive had a couple of cobs before that are a bit more lively and bolshy, you just need to assess their characters when you view them.
 
I have a full up heavy weight half Shire boy, weighing three quarters of a tonne if not more. He will not be winning any races, but he is amazing in the dressage ring and is very responsive - he does work best if I carry a whip though, even if I don't need to use it. I do have to pick his back up, as with a lad that heavy he needs very careful riding to work from behind as his size means he is built for pulling. His previous owner spent thousands on correct schooling.
Tbh, I think it's all in the temperament - if they want to please you, they will try their very best and put in the work you ask (which is not easy for them when they sweat like a fat kid in a sweet shop, due to the effort it takes to pick up their own massive weight, let alone the rider's) :).

I must say though, having gone from a Tb to him, the difference in lung capacity is hugely noticeable -my Tb at her most unfit appeared to have more puff than him at his fittest - but she wasn't half as balanced and fifty times more spooky, which made it all very tiresome!
 
I've got a 5yr old 14.3ish traditional.

'Backing' involved dragging him up to rock in the field by his forelock, and scrabbling on (:o not very BHS)

He's a little too steady for my taste and has to keep being reminded to go forwards BUT is getting better now he's getting fitter :D He's active enough tho and gets good 'active trot' comments in dressage.

He is the easiest, gentlest, kindest, sweetest pony possible. Not a single bulshy bone in his body. Utterly bombproof and nothing winds him up. Oh, and he's gorgeous too!
 
He have a trekking centre (30 trekking cobs and 30+ young ones) here in Ireland and all we have are cobs and find them great, alot easier then half breds for this kind of work...
There totaly placid perfect for the beginner rider we even put kids on the big lads because they are so quiet and just plod along...
But when they hit the beach with experience riders they are far from plods and would give the race horses a run for there money... I take them out hunting for a change of scenery and they have no problem breaking ground and giving leads.
As long as they have a full belly they would do anything for you.
 
DevonshireDumpling - your Freddie is adorable, that first pic of yours in particular is gorgeous!!

I have a coloured cob called Freddie too, he will be 6 this summer. He has been backed for nearly 2 years now but still taking it slowly with him (partly due to lack of time ...). He's really responsive out, but doesn't like going round and round in the school much :rolleyes:

(Domane, isn't he your second that you've backed? Indy?? :confused:)
 
I have a rising 5 gypsy vanner and he is definately not a plod, he has a lovely gentle temperament and although he is very good on the ground he is quite spooky to ride and gets very excited :D
 
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